Monday, June 17, 2024

Quote of the Day

“The cost of business continues to go up for all of us doing everything. The programs are just really, really struggling, and the funding is nowhere near sufficient to support them to do the work. They need our help and support for them to be all that we need them to be — and everywhere that we need them to be.”

— Francine Garland Stark, executive director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, on the rising cost to operate domestic violence intervention programs.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

This program is causing victims of domestic violence to feel less safe in York County. People convicted of domestic violence in Maine’s second most populous county are being allowed to end their probation early.

Maine is preparing for a future without its iconic pines. Researchers are planting tree species as temperatures rise, extreme weather intensifies and pests spread.

Bangor is paying someone to clean up used needles, but is it working? The job was created in response to repeated complaints about contaminated needles in public spaces throughout the city. PLUS: See how many syringes different Maine counties have collected.

A CMP driver’s crash spotlighted a century-old legal standard favoring the company. The law allows it to self-insure its vehicles, meaning it doesn’t have to carry policies for routine claims and can instead settle them in house.

A development built as housing in Portland will now be a luxury hotel. City officials are upset about the change, with one Planning Board member calling it a "bait and switch."

Maine in Pictures

More News from Around the State

• Maine is accepting designs for a new state flag ahead of November vote

• The emerging Republican case for Maine as a swing state in 2024

• Mitch McConnell could bounce Susan Collins as top Republican appropriator

• What happens to the marijuana seized from illegal Maine grow houses?

• Moose spotted strolling through a Bangor neighborhood

• Photos: Hootie & The Blowfish rock Maine Savings Amphitheater

• JetBlue will bring Boston flights and bigger terminal to Presque Isle

• Rockland man arrested after firing guns in Carroll’s Lane home

• Vinalhaven ferry cancellations disrupt lives for islanders

• Small plane crashes into Androscoggin River

• Officials find body in burned down Auburn home following fatal police shooting

• Maine police kill armed man after a night of gunfire and burned homes

• Auburn nurse sentenced for entering Capitol during Jan. 6 riot

• 12-year-old boy dies after going under in Maine river

• Portland arena to host 1st pro boxing event in 30 years

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

This year marks the 44th Maine moose hunt. You can see the 4,105 lucky hunters here.

It’s going to be a hot one this week. There are a few things you can do to stay safe and cool while the mercury approaches 100 degrees outside.

This will be a week to have an air conditioner. If you’re not fortunate enough to have one, you can still beat the heat without AC.

Thanks for reading! Did someone forward you this email? To subscribe to the Morning Update and all other BDN newsletters, click here.